Jan SVOBODA — GEOMETRY OF FEELING

Solo Exhibition | Jan Svoboda — Geometry of Feeling (Abstract Painting)

Jan Svoboda’s abstract painting speaks to a courageous viewer—one who is willing to look inward and explore even the most hidden corners of their soul.

*Jan Svoboda, Painter from Radňovice (1958)

About the artist

“Jan Svoboda, painter from Radňovice”—this is how the artist often introduces himself. However, the path leading to this identity was neither direct nor short.

He was born in 1957 in Nové Město na Moravě and grew up in nearby Radňovice. He studied at the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Brno University of Technology, where he earned a degree in engineering.

His connection to art began to emerge during his high school years, when he developed an interest in theatre and started writing his own short plays. He continued this interest during his university studies, working on dramatic texts and solo performance scripts. During this time, he also met Bolek Polívka, who would later become one of the collectors of his paintings.

At the same time, through a fellow student, he was introduced to visual art. Eventually, he left theatre behind and chose to pursue painting—an equally uncertain, but deeply personal path.

After graduating, he worked for several years as a designer in Brno. By day, he worked as an engineer; by night, he developed his artistic practice. He maintained this dual life until 1990, when he made a decisive change.

Despite having a family—his wife Magda and their three children—he chose to leave the security of his profession and dedicate himself fully to art. It was a difficult decision, especially given his awareness of certain limitations, including the lack of formal artistic training and unfamiliarity with the art world.

He sought to turn these disadvantages into strengths. In terms of painting technique, he succeeded. As he himself notes, once he discovered the approach that suited him, he devoted himself to it through self-study and a process of trial and error.

His navigation of the art world, however, remains largely intuitive to this day. He openly acknowledges that not having an academic background can be an obstacle for some, but accepts it as part of his journey.

In 1991, he moved with his family to a rural homestead in Radňovice, where he continues to live and work in his studio.